This month marks 13 years of blogging for me. Here’s what I’ve learned after earning over $5,000,000 and more than a decade of working online.
When I launched my blog in August 2011, it began as a simple hobby. I wanted to write about personal finance and share my experiences. I didn’t realize at the time that a blog could become a sustainable source of income.
Over the years, my blog slowly grew. What started as private writing turned into a community of readers who followed my journey. Blogging became more than a pastime — it became a way of life that allowed me to leave my day job and pursue work I truly enjoy. Today, my blog reaches millions of readers each year.
Thirteen years ago, I would never have imagined this life, and I’m especially grateful for it now.
Running my own business and working fewer hours has given me the freedom to spend more time with my husband and our daughter. It’s a dream come true. My blog has evolved into a successful business that provides a flexible schedule, meaningful work, and a comfortable living.
What still surprises me is how little I knew when I began. I’m not a tech person and didn’t consider myself a writer, and yet I built a thriving blog. Many people assume you must be both technically skilled and a professional writer to succeed — that’s not true.
I worked on the blog alongside a full-time job as a financial analyst, and about two years after I started, I quit my day job to blog full-time in 2013.
Some key stats about my blog:
- My first post published on August 10, 2011.
- I have written over 2,000 posts in total, and after removing older content, I currently have 1,379 published articles.
- I’ve received over 151,000 emails from readers (this figure excludes countless deleted messages and promotional emails — the real number is likely much higher).
- There are 65,342 comments on my blog posts; I removed more than 6,000 that contained broken links.
- It took six months to earn my first $100 from blogging.
- From 2011 to 2018, the blog generated roughly $5,000,000 in total revenue; since 2018 the blog has continued to produce a solid income annually.
What I love about blogging and the lessons I’ve learned
1. I enjoy the freedom of being my own boss
From the beginning I knew being my own boss suited me. I value setting my own schedule, defining my goals, and choosing the work I do each day. Having control over my tasks allows me to avoid things I dislike and prioritize what energizes me. While blogging is still hard work, I genuinely enjoy most aspects of it — from writing to promotion.
2. A flexible schedule changed my life
One of the biggest benefits of blogging is flexibility. I can work in the morning, at night, or on weekends, which lets me enjoy daytime activities without sacrificing productivity. That flexibility has made a meaningful difference to my quality of life.
3. Freedom to work from anywhere
Location independence is another major perk. I’ve worked from an RV and a sailboat, and as long as I have my laptop and internet, I can run the business. Balancing work and personal life can be tricky when locations change, but the freedom is worth it.
4. Success takes time
Many bloggers give up too soon. Blogging can feel slow at first and discouraging when quick results don’t appear. It took me six months to earn my first $100, and consistent effort over years is what produced lasting rewards. Patience pays off.
5. Write when you feel inspired
My best pieces come when I’m inspired rather than forced. Deadlines used to stress me out, so I now prepare posts in advance and write when ideas flow naturally. At the moment I keep about a month of content ready, which makes planning and creativity easier. After 13 years I still enjoy writing and have plenty of topics left to explore.
6. Get ready to learn
Blogging is a continuous education. From SEO and social media to site maintenance and analytics, there’s always something new to master. Building an income takes hard work and curiosity, which keeps the work interesting.
7. Don’t treat other bloggers as competition
View fellow bloggers as collaborators rather than rivals. Networking, sharing content, attending conferences, and supporting each other helps everyone grow. I’ve made lasting friendships in the blogging community, and that support has been invaluable.
8. You don’t need prior experience to start
I began with no background in blogging or online marketing. You don’t have to be a social media expert or a tech wizard to begin — you can learn as you go. Every successful blogger started somewhere, and persistence combined with learning will get you far. I built my blog from scratch and learned along the way; it wasn’t easy, but it was rewarding.
9. It’s possible to make a living blogging
Blogging can become a full-time career, though it’s not a quick route to wealth. With consistent, authentic effort you can generate meaningful income. Many bloggers who began as a hobby now earn a living through diversified revenue streams and long-term audience growth.
10. I love this career path
Before blogging I often dreaded the workweek. Now I wake up excited to work on projects I care about. There are challenging days — rude comments, algorithm changes, and setbacks — but the joy of helping readers and creating content makes it worthwhile.
11. Expect a difficult beginning
Many aspiring bloggers feel nervous about starting. My best advice is to just begin. Almost every blogger I know was apprehensive at first. That fear is normal — push through it and keep learning.
12. Connecting with readers is incredibly rewarding
The most fulfilling part of blogging is connecting with readers. Hearing how a post helped someone or inspired change is deeply motivating. Reader feedback and support create a strong sense of community and make the work meaningful.
13. I’m very grateful for this life
I’ve mentioned gratitude throughout this piece, but I want to state it clearly: I’m deeply thankful. Blogging has afforded financial freedom, personal growth, travel, and relationships I wouldn’t have otherwise experienced. Each day I’m excited to work and connect with readers, and that joy makes all the effort worthwhile.
What’s next?
Blogging keeps evolving, and I’m always exploring ways to improve the site. Lately I’ve focused on filling content gaps and publishing more regularly to grow the blog. There are many possibilities ahead, and I’m excited to explore them.
If there’s a topic you’d like me to cover, please email me at [email protected] or leave a comment below. Thank you for reading and supporting the blog.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to common questions I receive about starting and maintaining a blog.
How can I start my own successful blog?
Choose a topic you’re passionate about that also interests others. Be consistent and focus on producing helpful, high-quality content. Use a self-hosted platform like WordPress to set up your site and promote posts on social media to expand your reach. Learning SEO and email marketing will also help build a long-term audience.
What helps a blog last more than a decade?
Maintain motivation by setting achievable goals, celebrate small wins, and nurture your community. Keep up with trends, continue learning new skills, and adapt your content strategy over time. Consistency and curiosity are key.
How has blogging changed in the past 13 years?
Blogging has evolved significantly. Longer, in-depth posts and strong SEO practices are more common now. Social media plays a larger role in driving traffic, and there are many more tools available to help bloggers optimize their sites and content.
How can I keep readers engaged over the long term?
Respond to comments and emails, host Q&A sessions, and create interactive content like polls or surveys. Regularly update posts, provide fresh perspectives, and focus on building trust and value for your audience.
Do personal stories help attract readers?
Yes. Personal stories make content relatable and build reader loyalty. Being genuine and honest helps create a strong connection and encourages readers to return.
If you’re thinking about starting a blog, consider taking a comprehensive course or following step-by-step guides to handle the technical setup and learn how to earn your first income and attract readers.
Are you interested in starting a blog or your own business? What questions do you have for me?